Retinal prosthesis with side mounted inductive coil
A retinal prosthesis with an inductive coil mounted to the side of the eye by using a strap around the eye. This allows for close coupling to an external coil and movement of the entire implanted portion with movement of the eye ball.
1. A retinal prosthesis comprising:
an electrode array suitable to be mounted in close proximity to a retina;
an electronics package;
an electrical cable coupling said electrode array to said electronics package said electrical cable suitable to pierce a pars plana region of a sclera;
a secondary inductive coil enclosed within a molded body, including no central opening,
electrically coupled to said electronics package; and suitable to be mounted to a side of the sclera;
wherein said cable and electrode array comprise metal traces sandwiched between thin polymer films.
2. The retinal prosthesis according to claim 1 , further comprising a strap connected to said secondary inductive coil and surrounding the sclera.
3. The retinal prosthesis according to claim 2 , further comprising a fan tail connected to said secondary inductive coil and to said strap.
4. The retinal prosthesis according to claim 2 , further comprising a hook on said prosthesis suitable for engaging a surgical tool.
5. The retinal prosthesis according to claim 2 , further comprising a sleeve for attaching ends of said strap together.
6. The retinal prosthesis according to claim 1 , further comprising a fan tail, having a decreasing radius of curvature, connected to said electronics package and to said cable to facilitate passing said cable through the sclera.
7. The retinal prosthesis according to claim 1 , further comprising suture tabs connected to said secondary inductive coil suitable for attaching said secondary inductive coil to the sclera.
8. The retinal prosthesis according to claim 1 , further comprising suture tabs connected to said electronics package suitable for attaching said electronics package to the sclera.
9. The retinal prosthesis according to claim 1 , wherein said electrode array is suitable to placed in an epiretinal location.
10. The retinal prosthesis according to claim 1 , wherein said secondary inductive coil is a wound wire coil.
11. The retinal prosthesis according to claim 1 , wherein said secondary inductive coil is substantially oval shaped.